title: Stress hormones and vascular function in firefighters during concurrent challenges.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of concurrent physical and mental challenge on stress hormones and indicators of vascular function in firefighters. Twelve professional firefighters exercised at 60% VO(2max) while participating in a computerized Fire Strategies and Tactics Drill (FSTD-fire strategies condition [FSC]), and again at the same intensity without the mental challenge (EAC). No differences in the amount of work performed between conditions existed, although the FSC resulted in greater perceptions of overall workload. Epinephrine and norepinephrine demonstrated significant interaction effects with elevated levels during the FSC. Cortisol responses were significantly elevated across time and for the FSC. Positive correlations were found between cortisol and interleukin-6, endothelin-1, and thromboxane-B(2), and a negative correlation between interleukin-6 and thromboxane-B(2). These results suggest that concurrent challenges results in exacerbated responses of stress hormones and suggests mechanisms that could contribute to the prevalence of cardiovascular events among firefighters.
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology, 121 McCarthy Gymnasium, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762, USA. hwebb@colled.msstate.edu
authors.forename: Heather E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Webb
authors.forename: Ryan S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Garten
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: McMinn
authors.forename: Jamie L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Beckman
authors.forename: Gary H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Kamimori
authors.forename: Edmund O
authors.initials: EO
authors.lastname: Acevedo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002320:Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000097:blood; D004651:Employment / Q000523:psychology*; D004837:Epinephrine; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005390:Fires; D006400:Hematocrit; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006728:Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D009638:Norepinephrine; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology*; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000097:blood*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D002395:Catecholamines; D006454:Hemoglobins; D006728:Hormones; D009638:Norepinephrine; D004837:Epinephrine